nothing was better than topgun when it was topgun. the branding, the music, the staff in costume, the ride. all the elements were there. it was the best coaster with the best theming and even waiting in line watching it barrel roll above you for the first time while people screamed and dangerzone was playing... iconic.
Man you ain't kidding. I miss those days. Top Gun was awesome. I remember the Submarine scanners they had in the lines! They went all out for that ride! Then the Top Gun song kept playing until we actually got on! That ride was awesome back in the day.
I was the Technical Director at Great America till it was sold in 1986. Originally the Demon had a tunnel with 1728 lights in it that did chaser effects as you went thru. I know as I designed and helped build and install them! Oh, if we had just had Leds!
@@coasterhockygamingboy9549 Problem is the rides before Blue Streak are from such a bygone era that there is little way for them to be reviewed without the video being filled with opinion-less mentions of side friction coasters and wild mouses.
Well folks.it’s going down.11 years max left for this place.if you want to see it. DO NOT WAIT.go as soon as you can because I doubt it has more then 7 years left realistically. RIP Californias great America
My first job when I turned 16 was a ride operator on Tidal Wave (Greased Lighting in the video) from 1992-1995. Your video made my whole week and knowing it was in your top five, May have made my whole year. Thanks for the great video Chris! Keep it up.
I remember going to Great America (back when it was owned by Marriott), and looking forward to the day I was old enough to ride it. Then when I hit that age, I was afraid of going. By my junior high years, it was probably my favorite ride there, along with the Demon. By the way, it has now been more than twice as many years that Great America has been owned by someone besides Marriott than when it was owned by Marriott, yet my family still refer to the place as Marriott's Great America. Talk about the power of branding.
I was there the year the park opened. The drops on Turn of the Century were insane. Possibly the best airtime I have ever experienced. When they changed it over to The Demon, the theming was incredible - the audio that played in the queue was so much fun, the crazy lights in the tunnel, and the blood-red fountain by the corkscrews (not to mention feeling like you were going to hit your head as you entered the demon's mouth) - but, while the initial two loops are tight, I still miss the airtime from the two hills the followed the initial drop.
I had been wondering what Turn of the Century had before the loops went in. The Demon is sadly lacking in hills, with its main elements just the four inversions now.
I used to work for California's Great America from 2013-2017. I started out with Halloween Haunt 2013 then worked my up from Handyman to Rollercoaster Maintenance, specifically wooden coasters. Iike Gold Striker Grizzly & Rip Roaring Rapids were the rides I did maintenance for. I had tons of fun working at great america. Excellent video by the way.
My house was two blocks away from this place and I was there almost every weekend. When I wasn't there I could hear the screams from the coasters and the ride operator on Drop Zone from my backyard. Going to the park almost every weekend in the summer, I grew up on those coasters. That's probably why I favor B&M coasters and I never thought about it until this video. Glad Cedar Fair bought them out. It's a little park, but it's worth checking out. The ride landscapes are what make them so enjoyable.
Maaaannnn. Great America used to be POPPIN! I remember when they shot Beverly Hills Cop III there and it was such a big deal to go. Everyone in The Bay would go after prom. Don’t matter the school. I haven’t been in years. This was cool to shine a light on it. I love your channel dude. You make really good content.
Cga: I went 12 years without a new coaster. I can't see anyone beating that record Michigan's adventure: 13 years and counting... Valley fair: 14 years and counting Great escape: 16 years and counting...
If you don't count kiddie coasters as rides that can end coaster droughts, then Valleyfair actually has the longest drought in the Cedar Fair chain with 14 years.
@@zacharyyamashita8554 I’m not gonna hold my breath. Kings Island recently released a book explaining that Orion almost didn’t happen, that it was initially going to CGA (albeit smaller) but that Cedar Fair cancelled it but didn’t want to ruin their relationship with B&M, and so still placed an order with them. That order then going to Kings Island. So it was cancelled at CGA before the pandemic
I think CGA is an underrated park, considering its size and the placement that it falls within the Cedar Fair chain. It really holds its own as an important player in the amusement industry, and I’m glad Cedar Fair decided to invest in it rather than sell it.
I would flip Whizzer & Demon, but otherwise, I think I agree with everything. Flight Deck is actually my 3rd favorite invert. The intensity was a big surprise and made up for it being a short ride.
I've only been to CGA once, in a very short new year's visit, but man... riding Railblazer at midnight with the fireworks going on - while I was being lifted up, in the back seat - was probably my most awesome moment in any rollercoaster... only rode it once but it became one of my favorites already... also rode Goldstriker once and man it got me off guard of how crazy that was! Ghostrider is still my favorite wooden but Goldstriker is right next to that... missed Flight Deck though :(
@@zacharyyamashita8554 they want to go somewhere that has cheaper land. I think they want to cash out on discovery kingdoms real estate, which they own, and lease land from city of Fresno for cheap. Kinda like airtime thrills did moving from santa clarita to inbred Oklahoma. 💰
I’d rank them 1. RailBlazer 2. Flight Deck 3. Goldstriker, but the park has an insanely good top 3 for it’s size. You can’t go wrong with any of those.
Yep, I can agree with that. I had worked at CGA in my teen years from 1986 to 1990. I worked on the Grizzly in 1987, and that one is definitely ranked properly. I have not been on Goldstriker, Railblazer, or Patriot yet.
Greased Lightning/Tidal Wave was my first inverted roller coaster and I hold it very near and dear to my heart even though I only got to ride it a couple of times before it was removed. I distinctly remember calling it tidal wave as a kid and was surprised to see when the name change happened because there was no way I was old enough to ride it when it was still Tidal Wave (born in 93). Will always be Tidal Wave to me nonetheless.
Goldstiker is such a good woodie, the first drop really gets you especially in the back seat and there are moments on the ride where the airtime actually gets you out of your seat for a slit second. Was really shown what GCI is capable of when designing rides. It's definitely gotten rougher over the years and could use some re-tracking in the near future but it's not as bad as other rides. I remember Vortex, Grizzly, AND The Demon all being rougher than Goldstiker.
goldstriker jackhammers when it gets hot, i love it still but i only ride it two, three times at most a visit because of the jackhammering it will give me a headache. its actually fairly smooth still first thing in the morning though which is wild.
Growing up in the area, CGA used to always be the crummier park, Discovery Kingdom was always better. But after Cedar Fair finally started to put some love into this park, it's come out firmly on top!
I had a bad experience at DC. Left work, drove down (3-4 hours) and missed the exit unknowingly. Made it all the way to the Bay Bridge and had to circle back. Was late to check into my hotel. They were about to give my room away til I spoke up. Room was in non smoking but may as well have not. It was awful. I felt pretty unsafe. Woke up grabbed my bags and canceled the second day of reservation. Got to the park and first thing I rode was Virtual Velocity and scared the bejesus out of me because I was in the very back which sends you straight up however high it goes... backwards. Loved it though. Then the wooden coaster (Roar back then) tore my back up. I tried Kong or was it Konga? Terrified me. They didn't double check my shoulder harness and it was really loose. I was holding on for dear life because I thought I was gonna fly out and die. My last ride was the Elvira (was Halloween) virtual reality ride. It made me so sick but I wasn't about to be the one who presses the emergency shut off so I dealt with it. Even closing my eyes sucked. I went to the bathroom and puked and left. Almost got lost on the way home and almost got hit in a tunnel. Great America is way better.
Taxi Jam was my first ever coaster. I was like 4 years old, but I was wuss and was traumatized by its extremely intense 6 foot drop. I didn’t go on another coaster until I finally worked up the courage to try Big Thunder Mountain when I was about 8, and I have loved coasters ever since!
California has been growing over the years! And it is still popular to this day! However, the past attractions from California's Great America is my favorite part!
I really miss it when it was Paramounts Great America. That was so much fun as a kid and teen riding the light rail from the east side to there with my friends in the summer.
Fun fact actually: RailBlazer is one of 2 prototypes. So yes the one in Fiesta Texas opened first but it is a mirror image of the Great America ride. So essentially it is the 2nd single rail coaster to open (six flags always has the one up on getting the first)
You’re totally right about Grizzly, honestly while it’s not at all likely if it ever got the RMC treatment I would be stunned. My experiences with Patriot have not been great, the ride is somewhat smooth but I feel like the corkscrew really knocks my head around. As for the rest I’d say they’re accurate, I’d put RailBlazer above Gold Striker though since I prefer a smoother ride, even if it’s short. Just my opinion.
@@zacharyyamashita8554 I don’t think it’s cancelled, just delayed. GoldStriker was originally going to be built and opened for the 2009 season, but the Economy Crisis put it off 4 years. I think the Hyper will still be built eventually, but maybe they could RMC Grizzly in the mean time!
Just went here for the first time about a week ago. I agree with everything except Psyco Mouse being ranked higher than Patriot. Other then that, pretty spot on!
Actually we are not as both parks have always looked over each other even under different parent company’s if you get what I’m saying. Marriot era fans have mad respect for both parks history.
I don't think the B&M inverts get enough love today. Awesome positive g's. Flight deck doesn't look as intense as some but does seem to be a unique design.
Top 3 bang on. Got an early and cheap JetBlue flight out of Long Beach to San Jose, met up with a childhood friend from many years ago and spent about 6 hours at CGA. Flew back the same night. What a great day it was.
I live in San Francisco, about 30 miles from CA Great America. So I have been going there since the first day they opened and I have been on every ride that you mentioned in your video. They were all great rights love them all, unfortunately there were removed mostly because of high maintenance. Now my favorite park is Six Flags Magic Mountain they seem to hold onto their roller coasters even the ones that are of high maintenance. Although Magic Mountain is 400 miles away, with my love for roller coasters is worth the drive.
I rode Stealth on its very last ride at Great America. It was my favorite coaster ride of all time. Since coaster love is subjective, YMMV. But it is the closest I've ever come to feeling like I was flying. The climb up the first hill on your back leaves you totally unprepared for the inversion into superman-ing on your stomach through the first drop and the fast and scenic whips on the rest of the course. I've never ridden anything like it before or since. (FWIW, my second favorite coaster of all time is Grizzly at King's Island, because of that magical, exhilarating and long race through the moonlit woods at night, set to the soundtrack of shrieking steel wheels amplified through the wooden structure.) My one time on Stealth wasn't scheduled to be the last ride of its last day, but unspecified technical issues made it the last, and I've always been grateful to have been on it. Thanks for covering this coaster and others that lived at my closest theme park.
I've lived in the bay area for most of my life and had the pleasure of riding every one of these, except for the 2 kiddie coasters at #15 and #14. Willard's Whizzer was my first coaster; it was a fun coaster and I'm sad that it was removed. Good rankings. I LOVE Rail Blazer and Gold Striker, and I agree Grizzley needs to go.
@@scottyjbdGurnee still has much of the original Marriott themeing throughout the park, along with the railroad (still used in the regular operating season) and trolleys (only used for parades these days). The parks both opened in 1976, and were about 99% identical then, all the way through 1980. Then they started going in different directions, with the 1981 addition of American Eagle in Gurnee, and nothing in Santa Clara. Before selling the parks in 1984/1985, Marriott had grand plans for expansion in Gurnee, which were finally realized by Warner Bros/Six Flags in the mid-1990's. The only major things really missing in Gurnee that are still in Santa Clara today are the skyrides, the original Eagle's Flight/Delta Flyer and the Southern Cross (never built in Santa Clara, and was built for the planned big expansion in the mid 80's, before Marriott sold the park to Six Flags). There was a incident where high winds automatically triggered a shutdown of Eagle's Flight/Delta Flyer, and it could not be restarted, so people were trapped for hours, until the Gurnee Fire Department rescued them from their ladders on the fire trucks. I believe both skyrides were removed the next operating season, or shortly after that...mainly because of the bad publicity...but also because they probably didn't want a chance of this happening again. This was still during the Marriott era, so SIx Flags had nothing to do with their removal. Anyway, for many years, I had no idea a Great America existed in Santa Clara! While they are quite different today, many of the original buildings are the same at both parks, especially at Carousel Plaza/main entrance, and Hometown Square. At night, you mind can play tricks on you...if you're used to one park, you'll be walking along and it's all familiar, and then suddenly something is missing or completely different!
@@jolietpinball7439 well I finally made it to SFGA for the first time! Just a few weeks ago, it was amazing how much it looked like my Great America as a kid. All the same flat rides Lobster, Triple Play, Fiddlers Fling, the same themed areas like Yankee Harbor and Orleans Square, both Log Flumes Yankee Clipper and Loggers Run. An ice trip down memory lane!
I haven't ridden RailBlazer yet, but I have done Wonder Woman, so I have a good idea what to expect there. Even if I had done RB, I don't think I would like it more than Gold Striker. Good to see someone else who agrees GS is the better ride! It's in my personal top 25 and my second favorite GCI. I rode Vortex and will say it was not very good
The 2nd model is far better than the original. I never cared for Stealth due to its limited fly-time while X-Flight/Firehawk and Batwing have you in the flying position for about twice as long
I agree with the ranking. I rode Gold Striker when it first opened in 2013 and it was a blast. Rode it again in 2016 and was a bit rougher than what I remembered but man was it a rush. Havent gone back there since then. Railblazer to me came out of no where when it was announced. Like I was actually shocked that they were adding something that crazy to the line up. Flight Deck really needs a retheme imo.
This along with SF Discovery Kingdom were my home parks growing up, and I went again in 2019 when I visited my parents. It may be a small park, but the top 3 are pretty solid for me! I'd love to see an RMC Grizzly, although I doubt the likeliness given the proximity of another RMC just a couple hours away.
I've been to this park back in the Marriott days, and a lot of us old timers still refer to it as simply Marriott's. I'm not really a roller coaster rider, but have been on a handful of these: Grizzly, which is tame enough for me but so rough that I tried to brace myself off the seat to avoid the pain and still came away with a huge headache; Demon, which was smooth and thrilling, though now i realize it lacks hills with its main elements just the loops and corkscrew; Tidal Wave, which was a blast even for me as a chicken; and Top Gun, which is probably the best of those I've ridden at the park -- exhilirating, but not scary. Would like to try Gold Striker and Patriot, but RailBlazer would be way too intense for me.
Nice video! Did you just go there? Because I can see your using the better quality camera like you did at universal! I love this series! Are you doing it for the other western parks?
Yeah i was there recently and the camera is newer but shouldnt be that much better...just the model newer from my other one. But good to know its noticeable. I'll do it for parks where i have experience with the past and present coasters one way or another
@@AirtimeThrills (Willard's) Whizzer at both Great Americas initially had none! Seat belts were added later, as they exist today in Gurnee...that's it!
10:00 I really think Nighthawk is solid too. I think the added sensation of the ride and the position can be so intensely awkward to a lot of people that this dynamic alone turns people off. However, I'd say once you know what you're in for, it's a pretty intense ride (but in a really good way).
I always wondered when you were going to do a video on my hometown park! I was going to say Vortex was better than Grizzly but then you have Patriot in front so I'm ok. I don't think Grizzly is smooth at all. I'm hoping for a Twisted Grizzly though. Invertigo was SO MUCH FUN! I'm still salty it had to go. Stealth was down way more than it was up lol I love when Top Gun flies over the marquee, queue, and station into that finale. Such a great ride. I need to go back up and try Goldstriker and Railblazer.
nothing was better than topgun when it was topgun. the branding, the music, the staff in costume, the ride. all the elements were there. it was the best coaster with the best theming and even waiting in line watching it barrel roll above you for the first time while people screamed and dangerzone was playing... iconic.
Man you ain't kidding. I miss those days. Top Gun was awesome. I remember the Submarine scanners they had in the lines! They went all out for that ride! Then the Top Gun song kept playing until we actually got on! That ride was awesome back in the day.
Top Gun at Great America. Those were some good times bro!
You said it! Those were the days.
Yes, loved it!
I was the Technical Director at Great America till it was sold in 1986. Originally the Demon had a tunnel with 1728 lights in it that did chaser effects as you went thru. I know as I designed and helped build and install them! Oh, if we had just had Leds!
I really get this notification as I’m recreating CGA in Minecraft, wow
Wowie that is bonkers
i’m at the park right now
@@largenome9512 what's bonkers is you using the word "bonkers"
lmao the notification popped up while i was on my break from working at tiki twirl
Wow I’m recreating Universal Studios Hollywood in Java edition (I’ve already made Orlando)
Idea: Ranking Every Coaster at Cedar Point since Blue Streak.
Ill do something for CP after i go back
No.
No do them all
@@coasterhockygamingboy9549 Problem is the rides before Blue Streak are from such a bygone era that there is little way for them to be reviewed without the video being filled with opinion-less mentions of side friction coasters and wild mouses.
Great idea!
Well folks.it’s going down.11 years max left for this place.if you want to see it. DO NOT WAIT.go as soon as you can because I doubt it has more then 7 years left realistically. RIP Californias great America
My first job when I turned 16 was a ride operator on Tidal Wave (Greased Lighting in the video) from 1992-1995. Your video made my whole week and knowing it was in your top five, May have made my whole year. Thanks for the great video Chris! Keep it up.
I remember going to Great America (back when it was owned by Marriott), and looking forward to the day I was old enough to ride it. Then when I hit that age, I was afraid of going. By my junior high years, it was probably my favorite ride there, along with the Demon.
By the way, it has now been more than twice as many years that Great America has been owned by someone besides Marriott than when it was owned by Marriott, yet my family still refer to the place as Marriott's Great America. Talk about the power of branding.
The last time I went the great america. Drop zone was new. I also remember they had MTV then grind there lol. So it was mid 90s.
@@I_like_turtles_67 that’s the time period I worked there! A friend of mine was a supervisor at drop zone it’s opening year.
@@habeascorpushalo I need to go back when my daughter is older.
@@I_like_turtles_67 go quick! It’s shutting down
This is my home park and im happy that cedar fair is putting new coasters into cga
My home park is the other great america
And the new waterpark
Wait they are what is it called? This is also my home park
Kevin A There is a rumor of b&m hyper and also gold striker and rail blazer after the 12 year coaster drought
@@maksim9107 oh thx
as a cga fanboy,
*YES*
I have very fond memories of the Whizzer and the Tidal Wave. Such a fun time in my childhood!
I saw that you posted this right after I just got hired as a ride op at the other Great America!! What a coincidence lol
Which ride?
I was there the year the park opened. The drops on Turn of the Century were insane. Possibly the best airtime I have ever experienced. When they changed it over to The Demon, the theming was incredible - the audio that played in the queue was so much fun, the crazy lights in the tunnel, and the blood-red fountain by the corkscrews (not to mention feeling like you were going to hit your head as you entered the demon's mouth) - but, while the initial two loops are tight, I still miss the airtime from the two hills the followed the initial drop.
I heard the park scaled back the theming on demon bc it was to demonic
I had been wondering what Turn of the Century had before the loops went in. The Demon is sadly lacking in hills, with its main elements just the four inversions now.
I used to work for California's Great America from 2013-2017. I started out with Halloween Haunt 2013 then worked my up from Handyman to Rollercoaster Maintenance, specifically wooden coasters. Iike Gold Striker Grizzly & Rip Roaring Rapids were the rides I did maintenance for. I had tons of fun working at great america. Excellent video by the way.
Great America is my home park! It was really cool to see the coaster history!
My house was two blocks away from this place and I was there almost every weekend. When I wasn't there I could hear the screams from the coasters and the ride operator on Drop Zone from my backyard. Going to the park almost every weekend in the summer, I grew up on those coasters. That's probably why I favor B&M coasters and I never thought about it until this video.
Glad Cedar Fair bought them out. It's a little park, but it's worth checking out. The ride landscapes are what make them so enjoyable.
Maaaannnn. Great America used to be POPPIN! I remember when they shot Beverly Hills Cop III there and it was such a big deal to go. Everyone in The Bay would go after prom. Don’t matter the school. I haven’t been in years. This was cool to shine a light on it. I love your channel dude. You make really good content.
Damn bruh soon this will be ranking all of Californians’ great American
Past & past
RIP Great America.
What
They are gonna remove it in a few years I think it’s like 8 or something like that
@@Dreamy_Uzii it's 10 years
Not yet
Cga: I went 12 years without a new coaster. I can't see anyone beating that record
Michigan's adventure: 13 years and counting...
Valley fair: 14 years and counting
Great escape: 16 years and counting...
also cga: is the best park ever and dosent need a new coaster BUT UR DUM BC THEY GOT RAILBLAZER
Lakemont: 28 years and counting
Idlewild: 28 years and counting
Belmont Park: 96 YEARS AND COUNTING!
Michigan’s Adventure is actually 22 years and Idewild is more than 28 years.
Michigan's Adventure is 13 years actually (Thunderhawk arrived in 2008)
If you don't count kiddie coasters as rides that can end coaster droughts, then Valleyfair actually has the longest drought in the Cedar Fair chain with 14 years.
Man, it's rough being CGAm. They have had as many coasters total in their entire lifespan as SFGAm has right now active in that park.
Doesn’t help either when you’re land-locked. Thank Goodness Cedar Fair bought the land.
And a B&M Hyper which permits have been filed for may never happen
@@zacharyyamashita8554 I’m not gonna hold my breath. Kings Island recently released a book explaining that Orion almost didn’t happen, that it was initially going to CGA (albeit smaller) but that Cedar Fair cancelled it but didn’t want to ruin their relationship with B&M, and so still placed an order with them. That order then going to Kings Island. So it was cancelled at CGA before the pandemic
And it only got worse for them
cga’s my home park so im stoked to see the video
Same!!
I think CGA is an underrated park, considering its size and the placement that it falls within the Cedar Fair chain. It really holds its own as an important player in the amusement industry, and I’m glad Cedar Fair decided to invest in it rather than sell it.
Amen
Hate to break it to you…
This comment didn't age well unfortunately. 😥😥😥
Yeah. Definitely didn't age well. They had plans for it until they got into debt, and they sold it instead. Yikes.
I would flip Whizzer & Demon, but otherwise, I think I agree with everything. Flight Deck is actually my 3rd favorite invert. The intensity was a big surprise and made up for it being a short ride.
I've only been to CGA once, in a very short new year's visit, but man... riding Railblazer at midnight with the fireworks going on - while I was being lifted up, in the back seat - was probably my most awesome moment in any rollercoaster... only rode it once but it became one of my favorites already...
also rode Goldstriker once and man it got me off guard of how crazy that was! Ghostrider is still my favorite wooden but Goldstriker is right next to that...
missed Flight Deck though :(
Ghostrider is my favorite woodie as well. It just goes and goes!
Crazy you made a video on CGA, my very underrated home park.
This is one of my home parks. This and Discovery Kingdom. It's a great park.
Rn it seems very top heavy but hopefully that changes
@@lucasgomez4877 I can see what you mean
Discovery kingdom is moving operations to Fresno. Looking forward to fewer central valley folks packing magic mountain.
@@jaya1000 You can’t be serious 🧐, it’s hotter than heck in Fresno, why not Sacramento.
@@zacharyyamashita8554 they want to go somewhere that has cheaper land. I think they want to cash out on discovery kingdoms real estate, which they own, and lease land from city of Fresno for cheap. Kinda like airtime thrills did moving from santa clarita to inbred Oklahoma. 💰
I’d rank them 1. RailBlazer 2. Flight Deck 3. Goldstriker, but the park has an insanely good top 3 for it’s size. You can’t go wrong with any of those.
agreed
Flight Deck Is Just Too Short
Flight Deck Is Just Too Short (This Is Coming From A Person Who Has Railblazer In Their Top 25
Flight Deck Is Just Too Short (This Is Coming From A Person Who Has Railblazer In Their Top 25
Flight Deck Is Just Too Short (This Is Coming From A Person Who Has Railblazer In Their Top 25
Yep, I can agree with that. I had worked at CGA in my teen years from 1986 to 1990. I worked on the Grizzly in 1987, and that one is definitely ranked properly. I have not been on Goldstriker, Railblazer, or Patriot yet.
I went on Goldstriker today for the first time and it was so fun! I bounced in my seat a few times which kind of scared me lol
Greased Lightning/Tidal Wave was my first inverted roller coaster and I hold it very near and dear to my heart even though I only got to ride it a couple of times before it was removed.
I distinctly remember calling it tidal wave as a kid and was surprised to see when the name change happened because there was no way I was old enough to ride it when it was still Tidal Wave (born in 93). Will always be Tidal Wave to me nonetheless.
Goldstiker is such a good woodie, the first drop really gets you especially in the back seat and there are moments on the ride where the airtime actually gets you out of your seat for a slit second. Was really shown what GCI is capable of when designing rides. It's definitely gotten rougher over the years and could use some re-tracking in the near future but it's not as bad as other rides. I remember Vortex, Grizzly, AND The Demon all being rougher than Goldstiker.
Turning Vortex floor less was the best thing to happen to the ride, especially in that tight space.
@@zacharyyamashita8554 yes I agree, I’ve never banged my head so hard on a standup worse than vortex. The flourless seats are a god send.
goldstriker jackhammers when it gets hot, i love it still but i only ride it two, three times at most a visit because of the jackhammering it will give me a headache. its actually fairly smooth still first thing in the morning though which is wild.
@@Rickmarine1 As Patriot now, it’s easily reridable now as well.
@@Rickmarine1 The only problem now is that it's less intense as a floorless.
Growing up in the area, CGA used to always be the crummier park, Discovery Kingdom was always better. But after Cedar Fair finally started to put some love into this park, it's come out firmly on top!
I agree, cga definitely leapfrogged sfdk
I had a bad experience at DC. Left work, drove down (3-4 hours) and missed the exit unknowingly. Made it all the way to the Bay Bridge and had to circle back. Was late to check into my hotel. They were about to give my room away til I spoke up. Room was in non smoking but may as well have not. It was awful. I felt pretty unsafe. Woke up grabbed my bags and canceled the second day of reservation. Got to the park and first thing I rode was Virtual Velocity and scared the bejesus out of me because I was in the very back which sends you straight up however high it goes... backwards. Loved it though. Then the wooden coaster (Roar back then) tore my back up. I tried Kong or was it Konga? Terrified me. They didn't double check my shoulder harness and it was really loose. I was holding on for dear life because I thought I was gonna fly out and die. My last ride was the Elvira (was Halloween) virtual reality ride. It made me so sick but I wasn't about to be the one who presses the emergency shut off so I dealt with it. Even closing my eyes sucked. I went to the bathroom and puked and left. Almost got lost on the way home and almost got hit in a tunnel. Great America is way better.
Discovery Kingdom was never good probably the worst of all Six Flags parks
Taxi Jam was my first ever coaster. I was like 4 years old, but I was wuss and was traumatized by its extremely intense 6 foot drop. I didn’t go on another coaster until I finally worked up the courage to try Big Thunder Mountain when I was about 8, and I have loved coasters ever since!
California has been growing over the years! And it is still popular to this day! However, the past attractions from California's Great America is my favorite part!
I really miss it when it was Paramounts Great America. That was so much fun as a kid and teen riding the light rail from the east side to there with my friends in the summer.
lol, the light rail is the best
But Paramount were awful management. One of the worst companies to ever run amusement parks.
@@scottyjbd but they had Days of Thunder and the James Bond ride. Hahahah
@@orllyfools14X8 hahaha great the first time I rode! Got tired of them pretty quick though
@@scottyjbd Rides also broke down more when Paramount ran the park.
Vortex was my very first, inverted coaster. Stealth was amazing and I never understood why they took it out.
Becauss of the water park. They could have just put it on the land that the stadium is now
Fun fact actually: RailBlazer is one of 2 prototypes. So yes the one in Fiesta Texas opened first but it is a mirror image of the Great America ride. So essentially it is the 2nd single rail coaster to open (six flags always has the one up on getting the first)
You’re totally right about Grizzly, honestly while it’s not at all likely if it ever got the RMC treatment I would be stunned.
My experiences with Patriot have not been great, the ride is somewhat smooth but I feel like the corkscrew really knocks my head around.
As for the rest I’d say they’re accurate, I’d put RailBlazer above Gold Striker though since I prefer a smoother ride, even if it’s short. Just my opinion.
Awe, Grizzly is such an underrated ride. I try to ride it every time I go to CGA.
It puts me to sleep 😂
If the hyper is cancelled, now's there chance to RMC Grizzly.
@@zacharyyamashita8554 I don’t think it’s cancelled, just delayed. GoldStriker was originally going to be built and opened for the 2009 season, but the Economy Crisis put it off 4 years. I think the Hyper will still be built eventually, but maybe they could RMC Grizzly in the mean time!
I have yet to visit California's Great America but I will say that Goldstriker and Railblazer are a strong top 2
the only two coasters I got to ride in a very short and crowded new year's eve attendance but they were worth that single visit...
You should do similar ranking with SF Great America. I grew up with that park and first visits there were in the 1980s.
Ill go back there soon so I'll do it then
Gold Striker is the best. Good airtime and the roughness in my opinion adds to the out of control feel and love that first drop too.
The Whizzer (in SFGAm) was my first coaster. I rode it when I was 3.
Later in its life, when it was less popular, they're run Tidal Wave for multiple passes -- 3 or 4, if I recall.
I had the same idea for a video about Kings Island last week when I purchased the then and now T-shirt. Great work as always.
I’d like to see other parks covered in a ranking like this!
I was legit there today how funny you posted this! Railblazer 10/10 I loved it so much
Just went here for the first time about a week ago. I agree with everything except Psyco Mouse being ranked higher than Patriot. Other then that, pretty spot on!
I’m curious about your opinion about ranking Patriot under the generic psycho mouse?
@@MagicalBread Because Psycho Mouse 🐭 is an Arrow Mad Mouse model and one of the last coasters they built besides X2.
One of the few videos we will never need an updated version of
Six Flags Great America laughing because the park is closing
Ngl this is sad it’s going to go
Actually we are not as both parks have always looked over each other even under different parent company’s if you get what I’m saying. Marriot era fans have mad respect for both parks history.
Very true and now with the merge they are one again @@tigerrocks503chase8
Came here after the announcement. Sad to see it going soon.
You uploaded this just as I finished jogging around my neighborhood. Nice.
gotta love how grizzly was listed below the family coaster lmao
YES FINALLYYYY
Ironic, I’m at CGA right now
🙌🙌🙌
Your comments on Invertigo are perfect . I agree
I don't think the B&M inverts get enough love today. Awesome positive g's. Flight deck doesn't look as intense as some but does seem to be a unique design.
was anyone else like, "why is Action Bronson chillin by a kiddie coaster in Wisconsin?" LOL
Um, i didnt even realize I had bars either!
Im like why the hell is Action Bronson,
straight relaxin by a kiddie coaster in Wisconsin?
LOL
Top 3 bang on. Got an early and cheap JetBlue flight out of Long Beach to San Jose, met up with a childhood friend from many years ago and spent about 6 hours at CGA. Flew back the same night. What a great day it was.
*looking a 1dislike LOL*
Finally!! This is a video I've been really hoping you'd do. CGA is my home park
Hooray! This is one of my favorite series on the channel.
I first went to CGA in '76 on my 8th grade graduation trip. You were 1 yr old! Your description of these coasters are exact! Great job!!!
Yay...my home park...I've ridden both vortex and Patriot....double credits yay
I live in San Francisco, about 30 miles from CA Great America. So I have been going there since the first day they opened and I have been on every ride that you mentioned in your video. They were all great rights love them all, unfortunately there were removed mostly because of high maintenance. Now my favorite park is Six Flags Magic Mountain they seem to hold onto their roller coasters even the ones that are of high maintenance. Although Magic Mountain is 400 miles away, with my love for roller coasters is worth the drive.
Went yesterday for the first time. Agree with this list. I couldn't stop laughing on Gold Striker but it is pretty rough
Gold Striker is NOT rough, wtf?
The scariest ride was Smurfette's wild ride. Currently known as Woodstalk express. It was terrifying.
I’ve only been to California’s Great America once back in 2008 and rode vortex and I thought it was bumpy and rough. Definitely had the B&M rattle
Just visited for the first time this past weekend and while it's definitely a halfday park it was definitely a blast
Gold striker is one of the best rides I’ve ridden
Never been a fan of the flying dutchman model. B&M flyers all the way! 😎
When the commenter with the most subs has only two likes ☹️☹️☹️ (I love your videos!)
Well NightHawk is on its last legs at Carowind’s with the lack of spare parts.
@@zacharyyamashita8554 it's popularity is what keeps it alive, but yeah, probably not gonna last much longer
@@XscreamThrills Great America basically did better in the long run when it was removed back in 2003.
In an alternate universe, CGA and SFGAm are sister parks just like the two CF CW parks.
I rode Stealth on its very last ride at Great America. It was my favorite coaster ride of all time. Since coaster love is subjective, YMMV. But it is the closest I've ever come to feeling like I was flying. The climb up the first hill on your back leaves you totally unprepared for the inversion into superman-ing on your stomach through the first drop and the fast and scenic whips on the rest of the course. I've never ridden anything like it before or since. (FWIW, my second favorite coaster of all time is Grizzly at King's Island, because of that magical, exhilarating and long race through the moonlit woods at night, set to the soundtrack of shrieking steel wheels amplified through the wooden structure.)
My one time on Stealth wasn't scheduled to be the last ride of its last day, but unspecified technical issues made it the last, and I've always been grateful to have been on it.
Thanks for covering this coaster and others that lived at my closest theme park.
The unfortunate news out of CGA
I've lived in the bay area for most of my life and had the pleasure of riding every one of these, except for the 2 kiddie coasters at #15 and #14. Willard's Whizzer was my first coaster; it was a fun coaster and I'm sad that it was removed. Good rankings. I LOVE Rail Blazer and Gold Striker, and I agree Grizzley needs to go.
Grizzly just needs the RMC Treatment.
I absolutely must get to Six Flags Great America to ride its sister! Had no idea it existed
I second the RMC treatment for Grizzly
@@scottyjbdGurnee still has much of the original Marriott themeing throughout the park, along with the railroad (still used in the regular operating season) and trolleys (only used for parades these days). The parks both opened in 1976, and were about 99% identical then, all the way through 1980. Then they started going in different directions, with the 1981 addition of American Eagle in Gurnee, and nothing in Santa Clara. Before selling the parks in 1984/1985, Marriott had grand plans for expansion in Gurnee, which were finally realized by Warner Bros/Six Flags in the mid-1990's. The only major things really missing in Gurnee that are still in Santa Clara today are the skyrides, the original Eagle's Flight/Delta Flyer and the Southern Cross (never built in Santa Clara, and was built for the planned big expansion in the mid 80's, before Marriott sold the park to Six Flags). There was a incident where high winds automatically triggered a shutdown of Eagle's Flight/Delta Flyer, and it could not be restarted, so people were trapped for hours, until the Gurnee Fire Department rescued them from their ladders on the fire trucks. I believe both skyrides were removed the next operating season, or shortly after that...mainly because of the bad publicity...but also because they probably didn't want a chance of this happening again. This was still during the Marriott era, so SIx Flags had nothing to do with their removal. Anyway, for many years, I had no idea a Great America existed in Santa Clara! While they are quite different today, many of the original buildings are the same at both parks, especially at Carousel Plaza/main entrance, and Hometown Square. At night, you mind can play tricks on you...if you're used to one park, you'll be walking along and it's all familiar, and then suddenly something is missing or completely different!
@@jolietpinball7439 well I finally made it to SFGA for the first time! Just a few weeks ago, it was amazing how much it looked like my Great America as a kid. All the same flat rides Lobster, Triple Play, Fiddlers Fling, the same themed areas like Yankee Harbor and Orleans Square, both Log Flumes Yankee Clipper and Loggers Run. An ice trip down memory lane!
I always wanted to see this park, my usual is Knotts😃
i never been to knotts is it good?
I haven't ridden RailBlazer yet, but I have done Wonder Woman, so I have a good idea what to expect there. Even if I had done RB, I don't think I would like it more than Gold Striker. Good to see someone else who agrees GS is the better ride! It's in my personal top 25 and my second favorite GCI. I rode Vortex and will say it was not very good
Vortex is now Patriot, as a B&M floorless, and is much smoother.
You should make another multi part documentary when this park goes the way of the dodo
Spot on on the Psycho Mouse line….takes FOREVER
I agree about the flying Dutchman’s. So many people trash them but I really love them
The 2nd model is far better than the original. I never cared for Stealth due to its limited fly-time while X-Flight/Firehawk and Batwing have you in the flying position for about twice as long
proud that I finally cracked 54" by early 2016 so that I could ride Vortex once before it bit the dust lol
oh also when I went on June 30th Gold Striker was closed for retracking (!!)
@@jacksonbryman9191 Are you serious? Which sections were they retracking.
Can agree with Demon's placing here, especially as a former operator to that ride.
Thank you for this!!!
I agree with the ranking. I rode Gold Striker when it first opened in 2013 and it was a blast. Rode it again in 2016 and was a bit rougher than what I remembered but man was it a rush. Havent gone back there since then. Railblazer to me came out of no where when it was announced. Like I was actually shocked that they were adding something that crazy to the line up. Flight Deck really needs a retheme imo.
Or like keep the theme and expand on it
Haven't been to Great America since 2006. The last year it was named Paramount's Great America. Miss it.
You should do this for Michigan’s adventure
Once he goes there.
Thatll be a sad list
@@AirtimeThrills but an easy one.
Probably lol
That's some great things about Grizzly.
This along with SF Discovery Kingdom were my home parks growing up, and I went again in 2019 when I visited my parents. It may be a small park, but the top 3 are pretty solid for me! I'd love to see an RMC Grizzly, although I doubt the likeliness given the proximity of another RMC just a couple hours away.
Awesome vid! You should do ranking all the Busch gardens parks. Williamsburg and bgt
He could do it, but Drachen Fire, Glissade, and Gwazi have something to say about that.
I've been to this park back in the Marriott days, and a lot of us old timers still refer to it as simply Marriott's. I'm not really a roller coaster rider, but have been on a handful of these: Grizzly, which is tame enough for me but so rough that I tried to brace myself off the seat to avoid the pain and still came away with a huge headache; Demon, which was smooth and thrilling, though now i realize it lacks hills with its main elements just the loops and corkscrew; Tidal Wave, which was a blast even for me as a chicken; and Top Gun, which is probably the best of those I've ridden at the park -- exhilirating, but not scary. Would like to try Gold Striker and Patriot, but RailBlazer would be way too intense for me.
I got the ping on his server while i’m at california’s great america
Discord?
@@maksim9107 yes
Pog
Top gun will always hold a special place in my heart
I go to CA Great America every wednesday
same
Have u seen me working at flight deck?
@@davidparent3823 most likely
That raptor in the thumbnail reminded me a few days ago when I saw a wheel fly off on the s curve on stunt pilot
Nice video! Did you just go there? Because I can see your using the better quality camera like you did at universal! I love this series! Are you doing it for the other western parks?
Yeah i was there recently and the camera is newer but shouldnt be that much better...just the model newer from my other one. But good to know its noticeable. I'll do it for parks where i have experience with the past and present coasters one way or another
Yeah it has great quality. Are you going to use it for povs?
Wait, you're telling me that Whizzer is only 3mph slower than Patriot! Whizzer 36 inches to ride, Patriot 54 inches!
Its all about the restraints
@@AirtimeThrills (Willard's) Whizzer at both Great Americas initially had none! Seat belts were added later, as they exist today in Gurnee...that's it!
Imagine if CGA built a B&M flying or wing coaster and named it "Stealth" to pay tribute to the former coaster.
Or a launch coaster and call it the Tidal Wave
@@nathanlopez5667 That also!
Tidal was my first and favorite rollercoaster Flight Deck a close second!
10:00 I really think Nighthawk is solid too. I think the added sensation of the ride and the position can be so intensely awkward to a lot of people that this dynamic alone turns people off. However, I'd say once you know what you're in for, it's a pretty intense ride (but in a really good way).
When did you visit the park?
Ay I have seen your vids before
I always wondered when you were going to do a video on my hometown park! I was going to say Vortex was better than Grizzly but then you have Patriot in front so I'm ok. I don't think Grizzly is smooth at all. I'm hoping for a Twisted Grizzly though. Invertigo was SO MUCH FUN! I'm still salty it had to go. Stealth was down way more than it was up lol I love when Top Gun flies over the marquee, queue, and station into that finale. Such a great ride. I need to go back up and try Goldstriker and Railblazer.
Got the notification at the park (Railblazer queue) also the ride ops recognized my dont staple me bro shirt I’m so cool 😎
This Video Is Perfect. I Live Near This Place And I Need To Go Soon LOL
What a great park